Apparatus for transferring sheets



Dec. 12, 1939.

w. w. LEACH APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS Filed Sept. 14, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fir/km W600% 174% 9 I 9 I ATTORNEY;

Dec. 12, 1939.

w w. LEACH APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS Fil ed Sept. 14, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY,

9- 'w. w. LEACH 2,183,293

APPARATQS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS I Filed Sept. 14, 1937 V 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VENTOR.

ATTORNEY);

Dec. 12,- 1939. w w, L ACH 2,183,293

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS Filed Sept. 14, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 INVENTOR. 1/07/01 lflieac ATTORNE Dec. 12, 1939. I w. w; LEACH 2,183,293

APPARATUS FOR TR ANSFERRI NG SHEETS Filed Sept. 14, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY;

Dec. 12, 1939. w. w: LEACH APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS F'iIed Sept. 14, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 6 6 p J7 I v 43}; W ATTORNEYJ,

Dec. 12, 1939. w w', CH I 2,183,293

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS Filed Sept. 14, 1937 I 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR. {laid aw W. 60m? ATTORNEY;

Dec. 12, 1939. w w, LEACH 2,183,293

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SHEETS Filed Sept. 14, 19:57 9 a Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY s',

more particularly to apparatus for transferring -metal sheets and the like from a pile or stack of sheets to delivery means, such as pinch r01ls,'con'- Pat ented pec. 12,1939

UNITED STATES PATENT, mm

" EL"? mini Appllcation September '14, 1937, Serial No.163,'161

1s Claims. (or z'u-zei' .This invention relates, as indicated, to apparatus for, transferring sheets, but has'reference veyors or the like.

In my Patent No. 1,625,085, granted April 19, .1927, there is disclosed'a feeder for sheet metal or the like, in which the sheets are picked up and moved to the desired position by suction cups actuated by mechanism consisting principally of cams. cerned primarily with sheet-transfer apparatus embodying a number of highly desirable improvements in the patented apparatus, whereby the handling of the sheets is considerably expedited and sheets of various lengths may be handled with equal facility.

Among other objects of the invention may be mentioned the provision in apparatus of the character described of fluid. actuated means for .moving thev sfictioncups; means for controlling the speed of movement of the suction cups from the feed position to the delivery position and from the delivery position to the feed position; means for positivelycontrolling the suction in the suction cups, and means for preventing entry of fluid into the suction cups and suction lines during under fluid pick-up of sheets.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and par ticularly pointed out in the claims; the'annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus, with vacuum cups shown in a position in which they are about to pick up a sheet;

.Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus, as viewed from the feed end thereof;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus, taken on a line substantially indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of Fig. 1, showing portions'of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the vacuum cups and the suction therein; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; 1

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, butwiththe The present invention is confittings shown in Fig. 20.

parts shown in .the position they occupy. when the vacuum cups are in the sheet delivering position, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but with the parts shown ina position intermediate the po- 5 -'sitions of Figs. -6 and '7;

parts shown in a position intermediate thepol6 sitions of Figs. 9 and 10; V

Fig; '12 is a cross-sectional view, taken on'the line l2-l2 of Fig.11; a Fig. 13 is a view partly in sectionand partly in side elevation, taken on the line l3|3 of Fig.

5, and showing the mechanism for controlling the suction in the vacuum cups;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, but with the. parts shown in the position they occupy when the vacuum cups are in the sheet delivering position; Y

Fig. 15 is a view similar. to Fig. 13, but with the parts shown in a'position intermediate the'posi-' tion of Figs. 13 and 14;

Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken r on the line 16-16 of Fig. 3, showing the safety valve for one of the suctioncups;

Fig. 17is a side elevational view similar to Fig.

2, but showing the apparatus as arranged for transferring sheets to a conveyor moving transversely to the direction of transfer movement of the sheets, the apparatus embodying a modified arrangement of suction cups and supporting frame therefor;

Referring more particularly to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 16 inclusive, the apparatus consists of various means which are supported on a. frame consisting of spaced base channels i and 2, angle uprights 3, '4, 5 and 6, angle cross-members I, 8, 9 and I0 secured to the uprights, vertically spaced pairs of angle guide-channel supports l2, I3 and I4 which extend parallel with the base channels and are supported by the angle cross-members, and angles l5 and I6, which interconnect the guidechannel supports.

The apparatus, as stated, consists of various meanswhich, for convenience, may be designated as means for transferring the sheets, means for controlling the speed of movement of the suction cups, and means for preventing entry of fluid into the suction cups and suction line's during under fluid pick-up of sheets. Each of these means will now be separately described...

Means for transferring the sheets For the purpose of picking up and transferring the sheets from a pile or stack to delivery means, such as pinch rolls, conveyor, or the like, mechanism is provided, which is best shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 9 to 12 inclusive.

Secured to the angles II and I2 are channels |1, each of which has a short vertically extending forward portion l8, a relatively long horizontally extending portion I9, and an arcuate curved portion 28 which interconnects the portions I8 and I9. Secured to the angles I3 and I4, and disposed in the same planes as the channels l8, are channels 2|, which are similar to the channels I8, but somewhat longer than the latter, so that their vertical portions 22 are in a plane spaced forwardly of the plane of the vertical portions l8 of the channels l1. The channels l1 form trackways or guides for rollers (not shown) mounted on the ends of a shaft 23, and the channels 2| similarly form trackways for rollers (not shown) mounted on the ends of shafts 24, 25 and 28. The shaft 23 has pivotally secured thereto, just inwardly of the rollers thereon, curved supporting arms 21, having secured to the lower extremities thereof tubular posts 28. Secured to the posts 28 at vertically spaced points, as by means of set screws 29 are cross-fittings 30, which supporttubes 3|. Secured to the tubes 3|, as by set screws 32, are cross-fittings 33, through which extend the vertical tubular supports 34 for the suction cups 35. The normal position of the supports, and consequently of the suction cups, is determined by the abutment of collars 35 with the lower fittings 33, these collars being secured to the supports by means-of set screws 36. The supports may, however, yield slightly, as when the suction cups initially contact the uppermost sheet of a pile of sheets, and to permit such yielding, expansion coil springs 31 are provided, which surround the supports and atone end engage the upper flttings 33 and at the lower end engage the collars 35. F

For the purpose of actuating the arms 21 so as to cause these arms to move from the position shown in solid lines to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, thereby moving the suction cups from the sheet-feed or pick-up position shown in solid lines to the sheet delivery position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, mechanism is provided comprising a reciprocable rod 38, the forward end of which is pivotally secured to the shaft 24 intermediate the ends of the latter, a pair of links 39 pivotally interconnecting the shafts 24 and 25, and a pair of links 40 pivotally interconnecting the shafts 25 and 26. The shaft 26', in turn, extends through the arms 21, so that any movement imparted to the rod 38 is communicated to the arms.

The rod 38 extends through the head 4| of a cylinder 42, and has secured to its rear end a piston 43 which works in the cylinder. The cylinder has secured to its rear end a head 44, which is similar to the head 4|. The cylinder extends longitudinally of the apparatus and is supported by means of a pair of longitudinally extending bars 45, which in turn are carried by pedestal supports 48 mounted on the angle cross-members 9 and I0.

Air, for actuating the piston 42, is supplied by an air pressure tank P, the air passing from this tank through a conduit 41, pressure control valve 48, slide control valve 49, and into the cylinder through conduits 50 and 5|, depending upon the position of the slide member 52 of the valve 49. The tank P is supplied with air from an outside source through a pressure regulating device R, a gauge G being also provided in the line for indicating the air pressure. The valve 49, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 to 12 inclusive, is clamped to the cylinder intermediate the ends of the latter, and the conduits 50 and 5| extend from opposite sides thereof and into communication with ports 53 in the cylinder heads. The slide member 52 of the valve operates in a short cylindrical member 54 disposed within the valve and provided with spaced sets 55 and 56 of circumferentially spaced apertures. The member 55 also has a large aperture 51 therein-intermediate the sets of smaller apertures. The slide member 52 of the valve is shaped similarly to a dumb bell, having ends of the same area as the internal area of the member 54 and an intermediate portion of reduced diameter. The valve 49 is also provided with laterally opening discharge ports 58 and 59, air inlet passage 88, a longitudinally extending passage 5| in which the member 54 is disposed, annular passages 62 and 83 which are in registry with the apertures 55 and 58 respectively, passages 84 and 65 extending radially of the passages 62 and 63 respectively, and discharge ports 66 and 61 respectively communicating with the conduits 59 and 5|. The passage 6| is closed at the ends as by means of screw plugs 58 and 89.

The mechanism for actuating the valve slidemember 52 will now be described.

Secured to the cross-member 9 of the frame, and extending rearwardly thereof, and downwardly, is a bracket 10, in the lower end of which is journalled a rock shaft 1|. Journalled on this shaft for oscillatory movement thereabout is an arm 12 having a pair of semi-circular recesses 13 and 14 in its upper end, forming seats for a latching roller 15, mounted in the end of a latching lever 15. Lever 15 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 10, as at 11, and is normally urged downwardly by means of a coil spring 18, so as to maintain the roller 15 in either the recess 13 or 14. The coil spring 18 is secured to the lever intermediate the ends of the latter, and is adjustably secured to a laterally extending flange of the bracket by means of a bolt 19. A rod 88 interconnects the arm 12 with the valve slide member 52, so that oscillation of the arm results in reciprocal movement of said valve member.

The shaft 1| has keyed thereto an arm 8|, which, upon rocking movement of the shaft, alternately contacts screws 82 and 83, which are adjustably mounted in lugs 84 and 85 respectively extending from the arm 12. In this way,

' Means'for controlling the speed of movement of resistance to movement of the-piston andconsethe arm 12 is oscillated between the extreme positions shown inFlgs. 9 and 10.

Rocking movement of the shaft II, for the purpose of oscillating the arm 12, and for certain other purposes to be presently described, is effected by the mechanism shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive Such mechanism comprises in part. a .rod 86- which extends through the cross-memher 9 of the frame and has fixedly secured'thereto at longitudinally spaced points curved arms 81 and 99,- The-rod 33 is pivotally connected at its rear end to a lever 39, the lower end of which is-keyedtof the shaft 1|. The rod 06 is movedas the piston 43 approaches the for-.

ward and rearward limits of its movement, and in response to themovement of other parts of the apparatus, as will presently appean thesuctloncups. I It is desirable, -,particularly when delivering sheets to a pair of pinch rolls which are driven 'fromthe'delivery position back to the feed posi-' at constant peripheral speed, to deliver the sheets to such rolls at a speed corresponding with such peripheralspeed.v In order to permit sheets to be delivered to the pinch rolls at such speed, irre- .spective of the length of the sheets, it becomes necessary "to vary the speed of movement of the vacuum cups from the feed position to a position somewhat in advance of the deliverypo'sition, and

tion.

By controlling these speeds independently of each other, it has been found that sheets in a large variety of sizes and lengths can be satisfactorily handled without variation in the speed of the pinch rolls, so that the sheet transferring operations can be considerably expedited.

For the purpose of thus controlling these various speeds, mechanism is employed, which is best shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

Mounted on the bars is a tank or receptacle 90 having a removable'cover 9|. Disposed within this tank are upright cylinders 92 and 93, which are open atthe top, and within which Work pistons 94 and 95 respectively. A rock shaft 96 is joumalled in the sides of the tank and has keyed thereto intermediate its ends a walking beam 91, the ends of which are pivotally connected to rods 98 and 99, the rod 98 being pivoted to the piston 94 and the rod 99 being pivoted to the piston 95. The shaft 96 is adapted to be oscillated through the medium of links I00 and IN, and levers I02 and I03. The links I00 and IM are pivotally secured at their forward ends to the shaft 24 and at their'rear ends to the lower ends of the levers I02 and I03 respectively, the upper ends of the levers being keyed to the ends of the shaft 96. Reciprocal movement of the shaft 24 will thus result'in movement of the pistons 94 and 95 within their cylinders.

The tank is filled to the level indicated in Fig. 4 with oil or similar fluid, the oil filling the cylinders 92 and 93. Upon rearward movement of the shaft 24, the piston 94 will move downwardly'in its cylinder, forcing oil out of thecylinder through discharge ports I04 and I05 which are disposed at different levels; The cylinder 92 is also provided with a check valve I05, which is' closed during the downward movementof piston 94. ativeiy small outlets, a resistance to the move-, ment of the piston is set up, and the speed of rearward movement of the shaft 24, and consequently of the suction cups, is thereby controlled. The

Since the oil' is thus discharged through relquently the speed of the rearwardmovement of the suction cups may be varied by partially closing the ports 404 and/or I05 by means of slide valve rods I0Iaj'and I03. These rods extend through the cover 9| and may be separately manipulated or adjusted by means of 'handwheels I09 and H0,

.For the majorportion of the downwardmovement of the piston 94, oil is discharged through both ports I04 and I05, sothat the speed of the suction cups will depend on the setting of both valve rods" I01 and I08 As thesuction cups ap-L proacha position about a foot or so in advance [of the pinchrolls, however, the piston 94 closes the discharge port I04, andithereafter, the speed of the cups will depend solely on the setting of the valve I08. Upon upward movement of the piston 94, oil is drawn into thecylinder 92' through the check valve I06 as w'ellas theports I05 and 1 At thesame time that the piston 94 is descending, the piston95f ascends in the cylinder 93,

drawing oiljinto thecylinder through archeck valve III and'port H2. The piston 94- moves. ownwardly upon the return of the suction cups to their initial or feed position, and the speed I of this movement, similarly to the movement of the piston 94, is controlled by the area'of the outlet through port- I I2,.-which area may be varied by means of a slide valve rod I I3. The rod II3 extends through the cover 9.I and may be controlled by means of a hand-wheel I I4.

By suitable manipulation of-the valves I01, I00

and 3', an infinite variety of speeds 'of the suction cups may be obtained, as willbe. readily understood.

It may be noted at this point that the pin II5 which connects the link I00 and lever I02 has mounted on its outer-end acylindrical member 0 which engages and moves the arm 93 to the position shown in Fig. 6 at the conclusion of the rearward movement of the suction cups, thereby moving the valve member 52 to the position shown in Fig. 9. It may-also be noted, that the shaft 24 is provided adjacent one end with a cylindrical member II I which engages and moves the arm 91 I to the position shown in Fig. Tat the conclusion of the forward movement of the suction cups,

.which is reciprocated by means of a motor I22.

endless belt I23, fly-wheel I24, shaft I25, and

crank disk I26. The shaft I25 is joumalled in bearings I21 and I28 which are secured to the angle uprights 3 and '5 of the frame, and the upper roller I20 of a pair of pinch rolls is keyed to and therefore driven by this shaft. The lower roller I30 of the pinch rolls is in frictional engagement withthe roller I 29 and is normally urged into such engagement by means of springs I3I, which bear against the ends of the roller I30.

Suction is applied to the cups 35 through conible conduit I35; manifold I36, and flexible tubu- .duits I32 and I33, slide controlvalve I34, flex.--

, ar' pniecgieig isr' ifold minivans cas eh interconnect the mangs'; I38 threadedly secured 't'otlie end s'iof'the tubular supports 34 (see Fig. "16). 'me afiiroid I36 is carried by brackf'ets I39 which extend from the bar 3|,

Thedegree of vacuum in the suction cups is I detrmi'nedby a mercury column gauge I40 (Fig.

0, Thevalve I34 is inoui'ited on a bracket I4I' secured toangle'l4, and, as'shown in Fig. 13, com- 'jprises a cylindrical body having an inlet opening I42a'ndfanoutlet opening I43. Mounted for sliding'movemen't with this body is a slide member. I44 having an annular recess I45 in its pe- 'riphery, forming a passage which, as shown in Fig. 13', intercommunicate'sopenings I42 and I43.

The member I44 has an opening I46 in one end communicating'with a radially extending passage or opening I41 which is spaced longitudinally from the recess I45.

lar recesses I55 and I56 in its end, forming seats for the cylindrical end I51 of a latching lever I58. Lever I58 is keyed to a shaft I59 which is journalled in a bracket I60 secured to frame angle 9. The arm I58 also has a flattened portion I6I intermediate the recesses I55 and I56.

The lever I58 is normally urged in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 13, so as to maintain the end I51 thereof in one or the other of the recesses I55 and I56. This is accomplished by means of a coil spring I62, which at its upper end is adjustably secured to frame angle 9 and at its lower end to a lever I63, the latter being keyed at its rear end to the shaft I59.

The lever I50 is adapted to be oscillated by means comprising a lever I64, keyed to shaft H and a link I65, the link being secured at its upper end to the arm I54 of the lever. In order to cushion the movement of the various parts, the connection between the lever I64 and the link I65 is effected through coil springs I66 and I61 which are mounted within a rectangular box-like portion I68 of the link I65, on a pin I69 extending through the portion I68 of the link, these springs bearing at their inner ends against a lateral extension I10 of the lever I64.

It will beapparent from the foregoing description that oscillation of the shaft 1I .will result in reciprocal movement of the valve members i 44.

-Means for preventing entry of fluid into the suc- For the purpose of preventing entry of fluids, such as pickling liquors into the suction cups when the cups enter a tank in which the fluids are contained, so as to avoid any possibility of such fluids finding their way into the suction line when suction in the cups is resumed, means are provided which are best shown in Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 inclusive.

Such means comprises an arm "I of lever 89, provided with an arc-shaped end portion I12 having an arcuate slot I13 therein forming a track or guideway for a pin I14 extending laterally from one end of a rod I15. The opposite end of rod I15 is pivotally secured to a pin I16, which extends from a disc I11 secured to the upper end of lever I02. The-pin I16 is disposed eccentrically of the disc I11, but the latter is concentric with the lever I02. The operation of this mechanism will be presently described.

Should any fluid inadvertently rise into the tubular posts 34 during application of suction to the cups, as when a sheet is missed or drops off the .cups due to the weight thereof, such fluid will strike a valve I18 (Fig. 16), forcing said valve against'a diaphragm I19 within the valve casing I38, thereby closing off suction inlet ports I 80,- and preventing entry of the fluid into the suction lines. Method of operation Having now described in detail the construction of the apparatus and the principal features thereof, the function. of the apparatus will be best understood by a description of the various movements which the apparatus undergoes during one complete cycle of operations.

. It will be assumed for this purpose, that sheets are to be transferred from a pile of sheets which are located in a pickling tank T containing a pickling liquor L, to the pinch rolls I29 and I30, to be delivered by the latter onto a table T, a conveyor or the like.

With the valves I01, I08 and H3 properly set,

as determined by the speed of the pinch rolls and the length of the sheets to be delivered thereto, and the suction cups 35, as shown in Fig. 2, in a position to pick up the top-most sheet of the pile S, the valve member I44 of the valve I34 is in the position shown in Fig. 13, being maintained in this position by the latching lever I58, the end I51 of which is disposed in the recess I56 of the arm I53. With the member I44 in this position, suction is applied to the cups 35, since the openings I42 and I43 of the valve are in communication with each other by way of the annular recess I45. With the suction thus applied, the uppermost sheet of the pile is ready to be picked up. At the same time that the suction is thus applied, the valve member 52 of the valve 49 is moved by the rod 80 to the position shown in Fig. 9, being maintained in this position by the latching lever 16, the 'roller' 15 of which is disposed in the recess 14 of the arm 12. With the member 52 in this position, air will flow from the tank P into the left-end of the cylinder 42, as viewed in Fig. 4, by way of conduit 41, inlet passage 60, aperture 51, the annular space between the intermediate portion of the valve member 52 and the interior wall of member 54, apertures 55, annular passage 62, passage 64, port 66, conduit 50, and port 53. In this way the piston 43 is moved in the cylinder to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, thereby moving the suction cups and the sheet held thereby to the sheet delivery position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which position the forward end of the sheet is gripped by the pinch rolls and drawn therethrough upon release of the sheet by the suction cup. During this movement of the piston 43, the air ahead of the piston is discharged into the atmosphere by way of port 53, conduit 5|, port 61, passage 65, annular passage 62, apertures 56 and discharge port 59.

Near the end of the aforesaid movement of the piston 43, the member II 1 engages the arm 81 on the rod 86 and moves this arm to the position shown in Fig. 7, as a result of which the valve member I44 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 14, being maintained in this position by the latching lever I58, the end I51 of which is disposed in the recess I55 of the arm I53. In this position of the valve member, the suction in the cups 35 is cutoflf and air enters the cups by way of opening I48, I41 and I43, thereby releasing thesheet from the cups.

At the same time that the suction is thus cut oil, the valve member 52 is moved by the rod 80 .to the position shown.in Fig. 10, being maintained in this position by the latching lever 16, the roller ,15 of which is disposed in the. recess 18 of'the arm 12. With the member 52 in this position, air will flow from the tank P into the right end of the other sheet may be picked up from the pile 'S.,v During this movement of the piston 43, the air ahead'of the piston is discharged into the atmosphere by way of port 53, conduit-58, port 58,'passage I54, annular passage 82, apertures 55 and discharge port 58. Near the end of the aforesaid movement of the piston, -the member H6 on the pin 5 engages and moves the arm 88 on the rod 85 to the position shown in Fig. 6, as a result of which, the valve member I44 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 13, in which position of the valve member, suction-is again created in the cups 35. I

. When thelevers IIII and] I 82, during their retum to their initial position (Fig. 6). have returned to a half-way position, as shown in Fig. 8, the

shown in Fig. '1 to that shown-in'Fig. 8, thereby rocking the shaft H to an extent sufficient to swing the arm I53 of lever I50 to the position shown in Fig. 15, the lever I58 being maintained in this position by virtue of'the engagement of the end I51 of the latching lever I58 with the flattened portion IIiI of the arm I53. The-movement of thearm I53 is sufficient to move the valve member I44 of valve I34 to the position shown in Fig. 15. In this position of the valve member I44,

member, so that the air which'is in the suction cups is trapped therein. Since the air in the cups remains thus trapped from this point until the cups engage the uppermost sheet of the pile of sheets in the pickling tank, none of the pickling liquorcan enter the cups, and be drawn into the suction lines when suction is subsequently applied to the cups.

As a result, the danger of impair ent or destruction of the suction is avoided, a d, at the same time, no portions of the apparatus, other than the rubber suction cups themselves, can be attacked by the pickling liquors.

When the parts are subsequently moved by the member II8 to the position shown in Fig. 6, the pin I14 does not interfere with this movement, as the arc-shaped portion I12 of the arm I1I of lever 89 merely slides over the pin, the pin occupying a position intermediate the ends of the slot I13, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Moreover, the position of the valve member 52 of valve 49 during this interval is not disturbed, as it is necessary, in

order to move this valve member from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the position shown in Fig. 9, a

' point spaced laterally of the apparatus."

. for is employed, as shown in Figs. 17 to 21.

arm "I of lever 88 is swungfrom the position I the opening I43 of the valve is closed by the valve torock the arm 12 suflciently to cause the roller 15 to ride over the hump between the recesses 13 and 14 and into the recess 14.

' Modification. Due to the construction of the apparatus, it

may be readily adapted for the transfer of sheets to a conveyor moving transversely of the apparatus.

For this purpose, thefpinch rolls and associated driving mechanism shown in Fig. 2 of thedraw: w

ings, are removed, and a conveyor, designated '0,

- is disposed as indicated in Figs. 1'1, 18 and 19, the

conveyor moving transversely of the apparatus, so as to deliver sheets transferredthereto'to a In order to facilitate the transfer of sheets fro the pile S to such conveyor 0, a modified arrangement of suction cups and supporting frame there-e Referring to these figures of the drawings, it will be seen that the tubular posts 28, in this case, are provided at vertically spaced points with cross-fittings I M, through the horizontal openings of which extend tubes I82,.these tubes ex-l tending'longitudinally of the apparatus and being secured in position by means of'set screws I83. These tubes are provided at their ends with crossfittings I84, to which are secured tubesl85 extending transversely of the tubes I82. Each of the tubes I85 carries three cross-fittings I88, through the vertical openings of which extend the tubular supports I81 of suction cups I88. The cups I88 are evacuated in the same manner as the cups 35, so that further description of the means for evacuating the cups is believed to be unnecessary.

It. will be apparent that the position of the suction cups may be easily adjusted in accordanc with the dimensions of the sheets. 1

Instead of utilizing air under pressure for operating the piston 43, steam or a similar medium may be employed.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups for transferring sheets from a sheetfeed position to a sheet-delivery position and from the sheet-delivery position back to the sheet-feed 5 position, fluid-actuated means for thus moving 7 tion means adapted to grip a'sheet, a cylinder, at

piston in said cylinder, means interconnecting said piston and suction means, and fluid means for actuating said piston in two directions, whe by to move said suction means between a sheetfeed and a sheet-delivery position and between the sheet -delivery and sheet feed position.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a tank containing sheets and a pickling fluid, a sheet-delivery station, suction cups for transferring said sheetsfrom said tank to said station, means for returning the cups to said tank, and means for excluding said pickling fluid from-en trance into said cups during the entry of the cups into the fluid.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a

tank containing a picklingfluid and sheets to be pickled, suction cups adapted to enter said fluid cups and admitting air thereinto to break the vacuum, and means operative during the air admission cycle for trapping in said cups the air thus admitted thereinto.

6. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups, means for moving said cups into a fluid, and means for excluding the entrance of said fluid into said cups during said movement.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups, means for moving said cups into a fluid, and means for trapping air in said cups during said movement, whereby to preventsaid fluid from entering said cups.

8. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups adapted to grip a sheet to be transferred from one position to another, said cups adapted to be returned to their initial position, means for thus moving said cups, and means for braking the movement of said first-named means.

9. In apparatus of the characterdescribed, means for transferring sheets from a sheet-feed position to a sheet-delivery position and from the sheet-delivery position back to the sheetfeed position, means for thus moving said transfer means, and means whereby the speed of movement of said first-named means from the sheet-feed to the sheet-delivery and from the sheet-delivery to the sheet-feed position may be independently varied.

10. In apparatus of the character described. suction means for transferring sheets from a sheet-feed position to a sheet-delivery position and from the sheet-delivery position back to the sheet-feed position, means for thus moving said suction means, and means for independently varying the speed of movement of said suction means from the sheet-feed to the sheet-delivery position and the speed of movement of said suction means from the sheet-delivery to the sheetfeed position.

11. In apparatus of the character described, suction means for transferring sheets from a feed position to a delivery position, a cylinder,

a piston in said cylinder, means interconnecting said piston and said suction means, and means acting directly on said piston for reciprocating said piston in said cylinder, whereby to cause movement of said suction means between said positions.

12. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups adapted to grip a sheet to be transferred from one position to another, said cups adapted to be returned to their initial position, means'for thus moving said cups, fluid means for braking the movement 01! said first-named means, and means for varying the degree of braking.

13. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups adapted to grip a sheet to be transterred fromone position to another, said cups adapted to be returned to their initial position, means for thus moving said cups, and valve-controlled fluid means for braking the movement of said first-named means.

14. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups, means for moving said cups from a sheet-feed position to a sheet-delivery position to the sheet-feed position, and means responsive to the movement of said first-named means for creating and destroying suction in said cups.

15. In apparatus of the character described, suction cups, means for moving said cups from a sheet-feed position to a sheet-delivery position and back to said sheet-feed position, and means responsive to the movement of said firstnamed means for creating suction in said cups prior to their movement to said sheet-feed position and for destroying suction in said cups when said cups are substantially in the sheet-delivering position.

16. In apparatus of the character described, a tank containing a pickling fluid and sheets to be pickled, suction cups adapted to enter said fluid and to beevacuated so as to seize one of said sheets, means for moving said cups from said tank to a. sheet-delivery position, and back to said tank, and means responsive to the movement of said cups back to said tank for trapping the air in said cups, whereby to exclude said fluid from said cups.

WILLIAM W. LEACH. 

